Halloween Party Food, Wacky Cake

Here are some easy to make, delicious to eat chocolate cupcakes.  My mom gave this recipe to me almost 45 years ago.  It is still a favorite.  I really like the cake the second day.  I always double the batch so it will fit into a 9" X 13" baking pan.  No eggs, No butter, No milk, so easy and yummy! Here is a link from the internet for the recipe. The link I have had on my blog got changed, so I have been sending you to a cake with eggs, butter and milk. Not to take any more chances. A quick search on the internet will yield a recipe for Wacky Cake.

Halloween Party Ideas

I have had so much fun designing new projects for Halloween.  I found these little rubber squeaker rats at the Dollar Tree here in Utah.  I loved them.  When it came time to put the party together, it just didn't seem right that they did not have an outfit.  So with paper and scissors, party hats and costumes were designed.  They look great, now they just want to dive into all of the treats.

This Trick or Treat Mini banner printable is available in my Etsy shop.

Halloween Party Banner

Okay it is official October is here!  I love October, I love the changing colors, the pumpkins, hay bales, fall leaves and anticipation.  I can hardly wait for Halloween.  I have been busy all last month getting ready to add my new designs to my blog and my Etsy shop.  Deb's Cottage Etsy Shop

Vintage Fall Clip Art

I love it when coincidences happen!  I was cleaning through some boxes in my work area today when I found an envelope that had a booklet in it for vintage paper flowers.  A little piece of paper dropped out of the booklet and onto the floor.  I picked up the aged, fragile, folded piece of paper. It was a news paper clipping.  I looked for a date but could not find one (I am always one to wonder about all of the what ifs?).  The clipping had a few poems on it, many of them about fall. Talk about timing!  Next, my phone rings, it's my husband on his way to Park City, Utah to sell apples at Park Silly. He tells me that the leaves in the canyons are turning colors and wants to know if I want to go on a fall drive to take pictures of the beautiful scenery.  He has been helping a friend on the weekends who owns a fruit orchard.  He tells me that the fruit from that orchard in unique in that it sits over a natural underground aquifir, which provides consistent mineral rich water to the trees.

It's official, fall is in the air, temperatures are dropping.  Time to bake a fresh apple pie.

Fall Scenes

I have memtioned before how much I love the fall.  My daughter took some amazing pictures that I want to share with you.  So beautiful! 

Farmer's Market

The sights, sounds, smells, and the people make the Salt Lake Downtown Farmer's Market so much fun.  My husband plays his accordion there on Saturdays as a street musician.  He is so talented. This year, he is helping a friend sell his orchard of peaches.  He slices mouth watering samples of the fruit then tells everyone "this is not a sample, it is a temptation".  Needless to say he is usually able to sell a whole truck of fruit every Saturday.

Farmer's Market Downtown Salt Lake City

I can't wait until tomorrow.  I love going to the Farmer's Market.  I always find so many things there that I just can't pass up.  Do you go to a favorite in your area?

Halloween Previews

I have spent the weekend planning out this year's Halloween projects.  I found this picture in my folder and it reminded me of good times. Hope it gets you excited too!

Summer Coolers?

We still have snow on the mountains here in Utah but the valley tempatures are climbing into the 90 degree weather range.  A little rain now and then has been giving us a little reprieve but check this out. I thought you may like to see what has been taking my attention. So here it is. We are not dressed for publicity so it is real life. Please view the video on the following post.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN FLOOD: Clean up underway, but flood fears remain in Eagle Mountain - KSTU

EAGLE MOUNTAIN FLOOD: Clean up underway, but flood fears remain in Eagle Mountain - KSTU

Gift of Words

Have you ever had a day when something so expected could change your world. Kind, considerate words from an unexpected source can do just that.  I was delighted tonight when I read a comment that was left for me on my blog.  Thank you "Anonymous", whoever you are.  You made me remember why I loved writing my blog.  Your comment was a gift to me.

Congratulations Deni

I am so excited to share the success of a good friend of mine, Deni Hill.  Deni has bee a friend for many years and has recently been a contestant on the Season 11 of the Biggest Loser.  She won the at home competition with a prize of $100,000.  Deni is committed to sharing her story of weight managment and personal wellness.  Visit Deni's fan page http://www.denihill.com/ http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/photos/denises-finale-before-and-after/7812#item=176693

Happy May Day

Happy May Day everyone.  As a child my mother and I would gather spring flowers from the yard and take them as bouquets to my grandmother and to our neighbors.  It was always so fun to bring a little of spring beauty to people that we loved.

Springtime in the Rockies

I love this picture that my daughter Courtney Crabtree has taken.  I do see green here and there but it looks like snow again this afternoon.

Love

I don't know who penned this quote, I only know it resonated with me.  There are so many people in my life that this could have been written for. How long is your Valentine's Day list?  Love, if you have it, share it.

Valentine's Day

Oops!  Oh my, you must forgive me!  As you can see I am not quite ready for Valentine's Day.  While you are here leave me a comment so that you can recieve this years Valentine's Day Free Patterns.  If you are visiting for the first time, make sure to leave your email address so that I can send the free patterns posted on my sidebar.  I don't believe in spamming so your information will be used only to send out the Valentine patterns. There are so many patterns in the packet that I have not made samples of yet, I am leaving it to your imagination on how you wll use them.  If you use them I would love to see pictures!  I have to run so I can get my hair dry.  I am heading for my favorite antique shop to look at more Vintage Valentine items. Looking for more vintage cards?  This vintage card can be found at http://hubpages.com/hub/vintage-valentine-hearts-clip-art

Winter in Utah

I cannot remember a winter so cold in a long time.  I see that everything sort of has a silvery look to it. These photos were taken by my daughter Courtney Crabtree.I thought you may enjoy them too. They are kind of a fun look for the season.